Theater Acting with Mara D.

I graduated with a BFA in Acting/Theatre from the theatre program at Syracuse University (SU). At SU, I also studied in the Setnor School of Music, taking choir, music theory, and competing with a collegiate a cappella group. Through my undergrad degree, I studied at the Globe Theatre in London and spent a semester taking classes with Broadway and TV/Film Casting agents in New York City. I have performed professionally in Scotland, New York, and toured many theatres and schools in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Indiana. I have experience music directing, directing, choreographing, and teaching acting and voice for elementary/middle/high school students and programs in Chicago, Nashville, California, and Boston, and Maine. Upon completing my Master's in Theatre Education at Emerson College in Boston, I moved to Maine to teach full time K-12 general music, chorus, and theater. My current students credits include: Young Simba, The Lion King (Broadway); Billy Eliot, Billy Eliot the Musical (Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago); Child Spirit (The Magic Flute, The Lyric Opera of Chicago); Adelaide (u/s), (Guys and Dolls, William Street Repertory); a BFA Musical Theater majors (AMDA, NYC and Northeastern, Boston); and students in other TV, commercial, and Print Ad credits. *** Lesson Details *** I am energetic, positive, and specific. Singing can be easy and fun and I hope to instill that in all my students. I like to get work done while still smiling and laughing. In lessons, we will focus on properly using your breath and body to have the best technique possible. Whether you want to sing classical repertoire in your all-state choir, get into a competitive musical theatre BFA program, win scholarships, audition for Broadway or Disney, or belt a pop song better in your car/shower, I can definitely help you! Between 1 to 6 months, you can expect to have a stronger and fuller voice/sound, feel more confident singing/acting, and perform with more ease. We will stretch your vocal range so you begin to sing even higher and lower than before! I like to start the lesson with warm-ups and vocalizations, work in a little music theory, and then work on repertoire. I have many repertoire books and can help you choose songs that best fit your voice and personality. However, you can also have the option of bringing in pieces you need to work on for auditions, shows, or just for fun! I encourage students to record lessons so that you can practice between lessons and record notes if you are learning a song. I think music and theatre allows people to express themselves, gain confidence, build literacy and communication skills, and use their creativity/imagination. Great technique is a solid foundation for developing skills and individuality in your craft and a long career. *** Studio Equipment *** I have an electric piano. *** Specialties *** Voice - Kristen Linklater, Alexander Technique, Doug Peck (musical theatre) Dance - Modern, Jazz, Broadway, and Contemporary Acting - Meisner, Stanislavsky, Viewpoints, Physical Theatre, Basic Acrobatics